I'm Following Jesus – Page 1843 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Chapters: Psalms 102-104
Message: A Prayer For the Afflicted

Hello My Friend,

I was just asking God this morning why it is that all of a sudden you get this knockout punch when everything is going so well. We do not like to admit it, but we all get like Israel did after they got their freedom from Egypt, the second hit with an obstacle, instead of trusting God, they murmured and complained, and wanted to go back. You know, once Jesus gets in us, we cannot go back, He sets us free from bondage, and will not let us return go back without a fight. Remember, we belong to Him, and He will do whatever it takes to keep us from going back into the world, even if that means to keep placing obstacles in front of us to do it. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” – I Peter 4:13-14.

“as though some strange thing happened unto you:” The first thing we do when we are hit with an obstacle is start retracing our steps, there must be some sin we need to repent of. In reality, if we are walking with Christ, this is more of God trying our faith and trust rather than some sin not repented of. Remember Job? He did not do anything so bad that God took everything away from him, He did it to prove to the devil that Job would remain faithful to Him. It would be great if we could just get through one obstacle, and sail through the rest of life, but life does not work that way. It is not that God is always trying our faith or that wants us to face so many obstacles, it is that He places them before us so that we do not become complacent in our walk with Him. We do not realize it, but God is just like the rest of us, He wants affection, love, companionship, just imagine how alone God feels when the majority of His most valuable creation wants nothing to do with Him. And this is why the Psalms are right in the center of the Bible, to teach us how to open our heart to God, especially when suffering.

“A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down. My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.” – Psalm 102:1-4,10-12.

“for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.” There is not one of us that does not get up to the top of that mountain and do the victory shout for making it through all the obstacles. The thing with being at the top of the mountain is that we must come down at some point. It is at that point that God is going to try us with more obstacles to see if we are going to trust Him.

“For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” – Psalm 102:19-27.

“To hear the groaning of the prisoner;” Why do you think we are depressed, overweight, anxious, in debt, addicted to things, etc? Instead of seeking comfort in God to help us through our obstacles, we seek it in the things of the world. And since they can never truly comfort us, we find ourselves in bondage to them. We received Jesus as our Saviour to set us free from bondage, we do ourselves a disservice when we are trusting in what we have in front of us rather than trust that God can do the impossible. Often, we are the ones that add to the obstacles because of our murmuring and complaining. You see, it is the murmuring and complaining that brings us to make bad decisions because we just want our suffering to end quickly. Then more obstacles get thrown in front of us and before long we lose sight of God and any end of suffering in sight all together. And that is when we need to retreat, turn away from trusting whatever it is that we did in instead of God, and not walk, run to Him. Just stop and remind yourself of all the things that God has done for you since you got saved.

“A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:1-12.

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins;” Count yourself blessed a thousand times over that God has nor dealt with you for what you truly deserve, and I am telling this to myself. We certainly have not gotten what we truly deserve by the mercies of God, but our days on earth are numbered, just like the grass, and that is why it is important that we turn to God for everything, even help to get through the things we caused ourselves. Are you in debt? Go to God, and let Him show you what you need to do to get out of it. Are you in a bad relationship? Go to God, and let Him show you how to walk away from it. Are you addicted to something? Go to God, and let Him show you how to break free from it. God wants us as the mess we are so that He can turn it into a message that not only glorifies Him, but brings others to Him as well. Stop turning to the world to handle your problems, go to God, and let Him show you how to get out of that bondage once and for all.

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” – James 4:2-4,7-10.

“and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” We may not realize it, but we can become double minded, one second we are shouting, “Nothing is Impossible with God!” the next, “Why are you doing this to me!” I am guilty of this. There have been days where I am looking at the pile of bills, and asking God why He will not give me the work I need to earn the money to pay them off. I have done everything I could possibly do to control my spending, give tithe in hopes of getting a return, and yet I lack the one thing I need most of all. Trust. You know, we could sell every single thing we do not need, remove every single thing that pleases our flesh, give tithe, and to every single charity known to man, but unless we trust God none of that will get His attention. God does not want us living our lives oppressed, and doubting every decision we make, He wants us to trust Him. If every other living thing can trust God to provide for them, are we not more valuable than they.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” – Psalm 104:1,16-19,24,30-34.

“Where the birds make their nests:” Jesus said this, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7.

“ye are of more value than many sparrows.” We are of great value to God, we should all know that by now. He will show us what we need to do to get through every obstacle, in fact, He really tells us repeatedly what to do, but the truth is we ignore it. Got to God, trust Him, and watch Him take the reins and get you out of that bondage once and for all. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:13-15.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” – Psalm 103:19.

Today’s Prayer: God, Everything You created has a purpose and is often used to show us that You love and care for us. The grass, the flowers, the animals, and even the planets know their place and let You guide them in they way they should go, and they do it naturally because they trust You. We too have a purpose, and since we are much more valuable than the sparrows, we are going to face obstacles to show us that only by trusting You we might receive the promise, and much more than we ever dreamed, we receive eternal life with You. We will no more see death, pain, or obstacles, just enjoy walking through the freshly grass between our toes. What an amazing thought! Lord, lead me and guide me, let me not be double minded, only trust that You can show me how to face every obstacle, and even break through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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